Plundering in the Apocalypse

Four people could be seen running through the forest hurriedly. They were running for their lives. The group consisted of 2 men and 2 women. They were a party together hunting inside the Canopy dungeon.

The group was good. A strong guy as a tank, another guy would do the attacks. The two women were mages. So all four of them were offensive users.

Offensive ability users are further classified into sub-categories so they can easily be divided into roles as per the party and they can make formations and strategies based on that.

After they entered the dungeon. They were able to fight and kill Shell Monkeys with their great teamwork. It took a lot of time but they were able to kill 1 monster in 2 minutes on average.

After fighting for a few hours they were able to kill many of them. They avoided fighting with large groups. Everything was going well.

Until they came across something beyond their comprehension. Dark fur, bulky body, twice the size of a normal Shell Monkey. It was terrifying. They knew their death was certain. The killing intent focused on them was unbearable.

They ran without looking back, the monster roared and started chasing. The mages launched their skills on that monsters. But it was useless. There wasn't a scratch. The shell on that monster was much stronger than Shell Monkeys.

Seeing their attacks were useless. Their faces went further pale. They will die for sure. Now no one can save them.

The attacker of the team. His name was Jack Anthony. He was a 27-year-old man. He was happy when he learned that his ability was C rank. But he knew his abilities have limits and he had to rely on his physical powers more.

So he got into a team. Believing, he would have an easier time hunting in a team. He could rely on others to cover him.

'But these guys are useless. Because of them now we will all die. That monster is so strong and it's going to kill us. I can't let that happen. I don't want to die. I want to survive. I have just started on my journey to get super strong.' Jack thought while running.

"Hurry up Marine." He heard a woman shouting while pulling another woman, it was Selene.

"Jack help Marine. She can't run very fast. Alex do you have any plans? That monster is coming closer." Selene asked them in worry. She and Marine were the party's mages. Both of them knew each other from before. Even Alex was acquainted with them. Jack was a new member.

Selene had blue hair and sky blue eyes. Her beautiful face was attractive. She was 23 years old. After the cataclysm, she figured she could control water elements. She had an A-rank ability. At first, she didn't understand much about the rankings but after she understood she figured it was better to hide it.

Marine was Selene's best friend. They know each other since elementary. They are friends even after all these years. Marines had green hair, they were beautiful just like her emerald eyes. She was the same age as Selene. She could control plants and nature. So this forest was a place to her advantage. She also had an A rank ability. But her best friend Selene had told her to hide the fact. So she had been doing just that.

The problem was both of their physical stats were low. So they couldn't outrun the massive monster. So the only thing they could do was launch attacks on that monster.

Selene kept on launching water shots at the monster's face to create a blind spot. Marine used that timing to manipulate plants and make the monster trip.

Although the strategy worked or enraged the monsters. So Alex was the one who tried to keep the monster's attention on him. Jack on ran without contributing anything.

Jack, who was running ahead of them saw the monster coming closer to them. He used his bonus stats on agility so he was faster than others. His ability helps him do sneak attacks on monsters and he was mostly successful but this time the monster the strong. He wasn't able to penetrate through his defenses.

'',

At that moment Jack understood this monster was way above their level. But he still hoped that others may be able to kill it.

But when he saw that they were just stalling the monsters. He got angry.

'Those useless fools. Can't they do a better job dealing with that monster? Why did I have to team up with them?'

Only then did he remember he joined this group after he got attracted by Marine's beauty. He thought he had a chance when he joined this group. As Alex doesn't like them and vice versa.

'Che, both the girls are good. I could have hooked up with them if not for that monster. Too bad I can't risk my life for them. I can find other women. Also, I don't like that Alex dude. He thinks of himself as a leader ordering everyone around. It's better if they die.'

He shook his head and made a decision. He smirked and said <Shadow Viel>. Suddenly his presence vanished. He was nowhere to be seen.

Alex, Selene, and Marine were surprised but they thought that Jack would do another sneak attack on that monster and help them. They felt relieved. Maybe with all of their combined strength they can take that monster.

This terrifying monster had been chasing them. Now it's his turn to run.

"Although it may be difficult we can do this. Right guys?" Alex shouted encouraging everyone.

"Yeah" Marine and Selene shouted after him.

Now they waited for Jack to land an attack. They waited and waited. They kept on waiting. But no attack landed on that monster. The monster also freed himself from the plants he was tied with.

"Where is that Jack? What happened?" Selene said with anger and fear written on her face.

'Don't tell me.' Everyone had the same thought in their minds. "He ran away."

"Tch, that bastard. I didn't like that dude from the start. It's all because of Alex if not for his pleads. I would have never let that coward in." Selene snorted in anger.

Alex was embarrassed. But he knew he couldn't argue with her.

"Forget about him, Selene. We have to do something about that monster." Marine said trying to control more plants and tie him.

It was getting very difficult.

Selene knew Marine was right. She started shooting concentrated balls of water. But they were not much effective. Alex was a tank. So his attacks were also less effective. Only his defenses were good.

Marine was already stalling that monster. So, Attacking at the same time was difficult.

"Selene, don't you have any other types of attacks," Alex asked worriedly. If that monster runs loose now. Even he won't be able to stop him.

'',

"I've been trying to concentrate my attacks and shoot Ice but controlling the temperature is tough." Selene closed her eyes as she tried to imagine how she wanted the water to form.

"Okay imagine Selene imagine. Calm down and think of that image you want." Selen said to herself as she thought of making Ice.

She raised her hands in the direction of that monster and started thinking.

'Ice, Ice, Ice, Ice, Cold, Ice, Ice Cream? Wait? What? No, let's try again. Ice, Ice, Ice, Snowman.'

p She slapped herself.

'Just what am I thinking in these times?'

Alex and Marine were shocked to see Selene concentrate so much that she even slapped herself. They felt guilty. Seeing how hard she was trying.

'A perfect image of Ice. A perfect image.' She suddenly remembered something as she opened her eyes and shot sharp Icicles at the monster.

Alex and Marine eyes widened after seeing those sharp Icicles. But too bad. The attack was rendered useless. At the last moment, the monster broke free from those plants and dodged the attack.

All of their hearts felt crashing at that moment. Even after all that struggle, everything was useless. Selene didn't have any mana left after that attack. Marine was the same. Alex could only defend but that will not last for long.

They all just accepted their fates. But at that moment, they heard a male voice.

"This one is big. How much would it fetch?"

The voice sounded excited while asking.

"Around 30000." A female voice replied.

"Hell yeah."

But before they could see who it was they heard a scream and a slashing voice. Before they could react. With a loud thump, the monster that had been their nightmare, and was like their grim reaper. Collapsed.

It collapsed to the ground within moments and on the side stood a handsome man with black hair and mystic blue eyes. He held a sword in his hand which had black blood dripping from it.

Only then did they understand what happened. The monster died. Within seconds and the man in front of them killed it.

It was Shin.

Shin noticed everyone's gaze on him. He asked with a confused expression.

"Was that your prey? My bad."